13/01/2011 - Heavy fine for food packaging firm
Manchester-based food packaging firm Elliott Absorbent Products has been ordered to pay a fine of £27,500 for flouting safety regulations after one of its workers suffered serious injuries after being pulled into a machine.
The 35-year-old from Wardle was working at the firm's Greenvale Business Park factory, in Rochdale, on October 22, 2009, when he was pulled into a laminator by two giant rollers.
The worker was left with severe friction burns to his stomach, chest and to both his arms, which required skin grafts.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the company after the incident.
Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard the firm had deactivated an infra-red sensor, designed to stop the machine when someone approached the rollers.
The safety device was disabled as dust particles generated by the machine were setting off the sensor.
An investigation carried out by the safety watchdog found Elliott did not provide an alternative safety guard until after the incident.
Followed the accident, the firm installed a pressure mat.
The firm was ordered to pay costs of £4,389 in addition to the fine, after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
Copyright © Press Association 2011
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